I have a 2018 Jeep jk Willy’s model. I am wanting to add a steel full front bumper and winch. This is my daily driver and my hunting rig. Mainly dirt trails and some minor Jeep trails nothing like climbing rocks. It has the stock 17’s with basically 32 inch tires. I’m wanting to add a suspension lift to it but not go all out. Want to keep my ride but something to handle the weight up front and don’t want to use spacers. Want to keep the tires and wheels the same for now. Give me some options here please. Looking to spend a couple grand if need be. Couple inches is all I’m really after. If someone has some photos of theirs lifted about 2.5 inches with stock rims and tires that would be appreciated. Also do I need the control arms to center axle and correct caster.

 

 

Look for some coils from a hard rock rubicon 4 door. It will handle the weight you are adding without spending a bunch on a lift.

 

 

You wont know how much lift you will need to level it until you actually add those parts on, but Teraflex offers a 1.5" leveling kit with spacers or springs to do a super mild lift that wouldnt look funny with stock wheels and tires.

https://offroadwarehouse.com/i-20749...eling-kit.html

https://offroadwarehouse.com/i-23042...-wrangler.html

 

You have similar uses as I had when I was planning out my modding path. Knowing what increased tire size you may be planning in the future should be decided now, and you will get the best advise to fit your needs and use cases. If planning on going with up to 33in tires and the added weight you described, then The Dirtman's advise is likely the best to maintain ride quality, by just replacing stock with the HR coils. The HR coils are slightly taller and stiffer than the stock coils and thus better suited to account for the added weight you described. 33's are a good option, since it will reduce the need to additionally invest in re-gearing, wheel, tire carrier, brake, ball joint and steering upgrade mods while still provide good on road ride quality and off road trail riding capabilities you described. Go to 35s and you push yourself into the items I just mentioned. Go with 37's and push yourself into control arm, re-gear and HD axle replacement mods.

My personal longer term plan was to install 35in tires, which is the most common upgrade path without going into the next stage of exponential cost increase of needed mods to fit 37in tires. The Dirtman always provides great practical advise, and from what you currently described, it is the best practical advise recommendation, so I'm just additionally letting you know you will be limited to a 33in tire size increase when/if you decide to move to a larger tire when going down that path. These are the reasons choosing the tire size 1st which you plan to move to in the future always tends to put you on the best mod path when seeking advise suggestions.

With 35s in mind from the start, this is how I rolled out my mod path and it has worked out good for my needs. Yours may be different, and will be highly dependent upon the tire size you choose.
1. Big Brake Kit Upgrade
2. 3inch suspension lift with caster adjustment added (adjustable lower control arms) Geo correction brackets are better if you put a higher priority on attempting to maintain ride comfort.
3. Steal bumper, winch and front skid plate additions
4. HD steering mods (Front Track bar, Drag link, Tie rod)
5. 35in tires,17in wheels with 4.5in back spacing and programmer.
6. HD tire carrier and rear brake light relocation bracket
7. Rear Steal bumper
8. HD ball joints

Next Step Mod plans
--------------------------------------------------------
9. Trans cooler
10. Re-gear, and add traction devices (potential front axle upgrade)
11. LS Engine/Trans swap.
12. Potentially re-gear again
13. HD drive shafts
14. etc...this list really never seems to end but it definitely becomes longer the larger the tire size you choose.

So most of those mods in my list were necessary based upon my original decision to go with a 35in tire size. So think it out and choose your tire size wisely now, or plan on doing mod steps multiple times if you're unable to make a decision now.

 

Suggest making low weight a priority selecting a bumper and winch. There's probably >50 pounds difference between the various options. My build link below may have some relevant info -- If I had to choose again, it would probably be a lighter setup.

 

I agree and highly recommend a synthetic line not only for weight savings but for safety.